A Cheaper electricity plan in NSW to consider - AGL Energy Select plan

I was just looking at the electricity bill. We are with AGL (for gas and electricity). Our monthly bill has doubled between Jan 25 to now (Aug 26). Getting ridiculous.

As a result, I have recently gone down the rabbit hole of comparing electricity and gas prices.

Worth checking out this website. This website is from the govt. Extensive in terms of number of energy resellers: https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/

What struck me was there were many plans that were cheaper (in fact a lot cheaper). These cheaper energy plans were from Sumo, Nectr, Globird etc etc. I actually signed up to Sumo but changed my mind after I read the online reviews. Apparently, a trick of the trade is sign up for the low price, then they would jack up prices in 2-3 months later.

Back to square one. So ended up calling AGL again. Again, the experience reminds me of being taken for granted... Life is "You don't ask. You don't get."

Here is another trick. A few months ago, I got this letter from AGL saying they are switching me to another plan. I did not pay too much attention to it. During the call, I discovered AGL put us on the "Basic" plan. In hindsight, it was a way for them to increase prices without telling us.

To its credit, calling AGL was easy. Not much wait time. Staff was friendly. Upon asking, she suggested the "Smart Saver" plan straight away (around 10% saving). Interestingly, I also searched online. The "Smart Saver" plan came up on AGL website straight away. See Pic 2.

Then I did my usual trick. Geeee.... Our bills have gone up way too much. We are thinking of switching.. Can you transfer me to the cancellation department or let me talk to your manager ? Then she finally offered the "Energy Select" plan (14% saving). Incidentally, the Energy Select plan was NOT displayed on the AGL website.

At the end, we decided to stay with AGL and switched to the Energy Select plan.

Guess the morale of the story is stay vigilant on the bill....Always talk to them and see if they can do better next year.